Put on 4 my city: 9 4 9- nine questions for Matthew Stanford

HOLA folks! I have'nt been here in a loooonnnngggg azz time, but I'm bizzaacckkk! I'm comin atchu with my FIRST interview EVER! I'm going to start doing interviews with people that I admire and are doing their thing... This interview is with Matthew Stanford of Design + Reason Communications, check it out!

9 4 9
nine questions for Matthew Stanford

OnE- State your name, gangster. what is the name of your business and what do you do?

math+hue+matics=9

peace.
Matthew ToddUncommon Stanford is the handle.
I'm also known as Matthew Matics
and some people call me nine. (which has to do with Numerology... *sooo spooky isn't it?* smh haha)
I pray, design, study, analyze, educate, entertain, inform, inspire, and [most importantly] I drink.
my business' name is Design And Reason Communications, a full-service design consultancy specializing in products, graphics, interiors, wayfinding, and interfaces.
http://www.DesignAndReason.com/

TwO- Soooo math.hue, what is design to you?

design+reason=communication

Visual communication design is the science of conveying visual messages (I use this phrase as a slogan). while, indeed, design involves art, so much of it has to do with user analysis, communication, and application of theory that it cannot be considered art. typically, an artist is portraying some emotion of their own. this is not the case with design as designers must remove themselves from the equation and communicate the client's message. this involves much more than the ability to express oneself, but to express someone else's abstract (and sometimes even undercooked) ideas visually.

Thr33- Ok ok, what initially sparked your passion to design?

time+thoughts+talent=passion

to BYONEST (plug), there aren't really any kids who say, "I want to be a DESIGNER when I grow up!" it just doesn't happen that way.

as a boy, I spent lots of time alone with my thoughts. some of the people I grew up around confused me so I chose to stay to myself a lot. this, of course, allowed for quite a bit of down time as there was only so much tv I could put up with (even then, I knew that a lot of what I saw on tv was a lie). I got into the arts: writing, music, and drawing. I suffered from stage fright so becoming a poet or musician was ruled out immediately. once I got deeper and deeper into drawing and painting, I found that I was exceptionally talented at drawing letters. CCAD accepted my portfolio submission after I graduated from Mifflin and off I went.

F0uR- What in life inspires you?

God+prayer=inspiration.

I'm fully aware that I'm not your typical Believer as my beliefs are quite rare (Uncommon) but I do believe in all the basic principle of Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, etc. which is: "do unto others as you would have others do unto yourself." this is why so many people know me as a source of inspiration, assistance, and guidance when possible.
Nas says, "to receive's great, but I lust giving."
I really feel him (pause) on that line because that's the way I've felt for most of my life. and, of course, there are always those who try and take advantage of me and for them I pray to the Almighty that they'll shake that spirit of greed.

FiV3- In your line of work, what do you bring to the table that other designers can not?

good question. everyday, I'm reminded that I'm only a beginner. as far as I've come as far as education, accomplishments, etc. it doesn't really matter. everyday I meet at least one designer from whom I can learn a great deal. shout out to Michael Lipscomb (22 March!) of Phenology , everybody at JWORK LIMITED (heeyyyy Ms ButterPecan! haha), and of course my big brother Brandan Craft (I owe you!) and everybody who supports Athlete Shirt. these (as well as many, many) other Black designers are really doing their thing.

but I guess its not really so much a matter of am I bringing something to the table that designers can not, I believe I'm bringing something to the table that many designers simply do not. I'm not some extraordinarily gifted person (aside from how many people probably believe I view myself), I just think I enhance certain interests of my own. specifically my spirituality, my love for hip hop, and the design principles which are instilled in me. you won't catch me compromising any of the three for any project. ever.

SiX- I feel you on that math! What are 3 major influences on your work?

afrocentricity+hiphop+demand=influence.

my roots will never leave me. no matter whether I deny my heritage or embrace it fully; its there. if you haven't guessed by now, I am African American (and damn proud!) and I love African American culture. African Americans have been through so much (from being forced to building the White House to running the White House) and I believe the journey has only just begun meaning, there's much more to benefit us than we can imagine in the future. I believe we can quicker reach this destination by loving one another and simply helping out when possible. for instance, if your brother or sister needs money for an admission fee to college, help them! in this case, it won't be very expensive unless they're applying to Harvard or Yale. if by chance that's the case, that's all the more reason to help.

hip-hop is one of the only things I can say I never left alone through-out my whole life. I remember, as a boy, sneaking into my older brother's bedroom to listen to Public Enemy and N.W.A. on his stereo (I would always get in trouble but it didn't matter) and even to this very day, I get chills when I hear the intro to "Fight The Power" by Public Enemy. lots of people say old-school hip-hop is better but I think that's like comparing apples to oranges when you look at artists like Elzhi of Slum Village, Papoose, and many artists out of Columbus, OH. this music is much different than what's constantly played on the radio; I guess if you compare the radio "hip-pop" of today to the radio hip-hop of the eighties, yeah it was better then but otherwise, there's no way to judge.

inquiries about a new project come daily. I'd say out of 20 people, I might get one new client. this is probably because many people don't quite understand the necessity of contracts and how payment schedules function (not in a lump sum, but over phases... usually a month or two). its very unfortunate that I've had to decline projects that I'm interested in due to monetary disagreement(s). if it were up to me, no one would have to pay for design but love and generosity (as necessary as they are) simply don't pay bills!

SeV3n- As far as design, what role do you see yourself in when given an assignment?

I would like to be more of the background organizer but I'm usually the organizer as well as the manager and designer.

EiGhT- Could you describe a recent accomplishment regarding one of your recent projects?

A+A+A+S=success
OSU's African American Alumni Society approached me a while back needing a flyer and website design. I ended up doing a visual identity (logo, stationery, examples of flyers / posters / etc) and a website design. I came to many huge ideas during this project and I found that it was the most fun I'd had on a project in years. probably ever.
http://www.alumni-osu.org/aaas/

NINE- Lastly give me 3 words that describe you...

learn+teach+work=math

that's the best way I can summarize my days.